Concrete pumping machine



Nov. 17, 1936. E s; KARSTENS 2,061,425

' CONCRETE PUMPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 50W/m0 5. /fHRs TE/vs.

ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1936. E. (s. KARsTENs 2,061,425

CONCRETE PUMPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1934 'e sheets-sheet 3 fon/@Ro 5. /ffmsrE/vs- ATTORNEYS lFiled AugffZl', 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4@ alli.

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ATTORNEYS E. s. KARSTENS, 2,061,425

cONclfaETEv PUMPING MACHINE v Filed Aug'. 21, 1954 v-e vsheet s--sneet 5K.,

Nov. 17, 1936.

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. wk .KOM \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\N\ \N\\ /f/ 4.1 i o Q @mi Nov, 17, 1936. n E; s. KARSTENs A 2,061,425 CONCRETEy PUMP ING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1954 e sheets-sheet 6 v L INVENTOF? ATTORNEYJ` Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATE CONCRETE PUMPING MACHINE Edward VSiegfreil Karstens, Davenport, Iowa, as-

signor of one-fourth to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation Application August 21, 1934, Serial No. 740,829

1s claims. (o1. 10s-227) The object of the present' invention has been to devise an improved pump and pumping system designed especially for the purpose of conveying and distributing plastic concrete to the site at which it is to be used. Systems of the type of the4 invention ordinarily involve the employment of some kind of pumping unit from which leads off a main conveyor pipe or conduit with which may be connected'branch pipes or conduits going lo to different places in order to obtain 'the elfective distribution oi the concrete to different points of use thereof.

Pumping machines and systems of the vclass referred to present difficulties in obtaining eiicient J operation havingto do primarily with the wear and tear on the pumping unit incident to the application of the pressure means for forcing the plastic concrete through the conveying and distributing conduits. Other problems are involved in reference to leakage of pressure in the conveyor lines.

An especial object therefore-of the present improvements has been to design a peculiar type of pumping machine whereby a substantially continuous flow of the material being pumped may be secured and whereby the pressure means employed may act with high efficiency upon the plastic concrete in forcing the same through the vconveyor or distributing lines or' conduits. With the employed in this invention comprises a supply hopper from which is fed in a gravitating manner to a plurality of ejector compartments of an ejector chamber, the mixed concrete.

35 said chamber I provide a specialtype of cut-off or separating device the form of a valve which is adapted to selectively enter one or the other oi the ejector compartments after the same is sup- 40 plied with concrete from the hopper,l and by so 45 by me, including ejectors which work `in the ejectorcompartments, cooperates with the said cutoff device or valve to move the vsame out of its particular selected compartment, and at the same time forces the concrete under pressure lntothe 5 conveyor conduit provided therefor'. The conveyor conduit has a flexible section which carries the cut-off device or'valve and instrumentalities are employed whereby said iiexible ysection and the cut-off valve as a selector unit are capable of being shifted so that the cut-oi! valve will eoact end just mentioned in view',- the pumping machine v Associated with the ejector compartments of selectively and successively with the ejector com-l partments of the ejector chamber.

In addition to the'foregoing features which are believed to embody a new principle of action of pumping machinery of the type of the invention, there are provided subsidiary features of v improvement including vibrating or agitating means for the concreteinrthe hopper that supplies the compartments of the ejector chamber. Also I utilize special novel control mechanism for causing operation in timed relation of the selector unit including its cut-,off valve to shift the same in reference to the ejector compartments and proper actions of the expelling devices for the ejector compartments which comprise plungers that work in conjunction with the cut-oil? valve that operates in the ejector compartments in its successive actions.

In the operation of my machine the instrumentalities employed act somewhat as a double acting pump in that the power strokes of two successive operating ejectors are directed' against a single selector and cut-off unit while the return stroke of the ejector members is not availed of for the performance of working operations. I therefore obtain a continuous action of the pressure forces of my machine in relation to the plastic concrete. ailording a very high degree of efficiency for a mechanism of this type.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of my concrete pumping machine illustrating the various instrumentalities which control the operation of the same.4

Figure 2 is a view partially in section and partally in elevation disclosing the arrangement shown in Figure 1in a more detailed manner.

Figure 3 is a top view of a concrete pumping machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and also disclosing additional parts. 'g

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 3, certain parts being omitted.

Figure 5 is a. view similar to Figure 4 but-illustrating the ejector and selector or cut-off valve in another position. K Figure 6 is -a horizontal sectional view of the selector unit'v and ejector compartments, certain parts being broken away.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line' 1-1 of Figure 3, illustrating more clearly the ejector chamber.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the hopper andejector chamber, looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8 in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a top view oi the hopper and discloses more clearly the location of the partition within the ejector chamber.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 4 and illustrates additional apparatus which may be. used for cleaning of the feed section of the conveyor pipe or distributing conduit.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view l of the trip end valve control mechanism.

Figure 12, is a horizontal sectional view of a modified flexible joint.

Figure 13 illustrates a vertical sectional view taken on lines |3-I3 of Figure 12.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, I illustrates the ejector chamber which is provided with a base or supporting structure 2 and a flange portion 3. Upon the ange 3 of the ejector chamber is mounted a hopper 4 provided with an attachment flange 6. Interposed between the ange 3 of the ejector chamber and the ange I of the hopper is a resilient member 6 for the purpose of preventing transmission of vibrations from the hopper to the ejector chamber, for reasons as will be mentioned later on. 'Mounted on the ejector housing are ejector cylinders 1 and 9. 'Ihese cylinders are connected to the ejector chamber by means of flanges or the like, not shown, or they may be integral with said ejector chamber, as will be clearly seen from Figures 4 and 5. Within the ejector cylinders 1 and 3 are mounted ejector pistons 9 and I0 connected to ejectors and I2 by means of piston rods I3 and I4. The ejector cylinder portions I5 and I6 adjacent the ejector chamber I are of a construction similar to the crosshead guide member of a steam engine, while the portions 1 and 3 of the ejector cylinders form the cylinders proper. The ends of the ejector cylinders 1 and 3 are provided with valve compartments I1 and I3 in which the valves I9 and 2|), which control the operation of the ejector pistons 9 and Ill, are mounted. The structure of the valve compartment and valves and the operation of the latter will be referred to later on more speciiically.

The ejector chamber, as will be seen from Figure '1, forms a continuation of the piston guides I5 and |6 and is of such a conguration as to provide a guide for the ejectors I I and I2. 'I'he ejector cylinders are in angular relationship with respect to each other, as will be clearly seen from Figures 2 and 3. The opposing wall portions of the cylinders 1 and 8 form within the ejector chamber an integral partition wall 2 I, see Figure so as to divide the ejector chamber into the ejector compartments 22 and 23, and Within which the ejectors and I2 slide during performance of their working operations.

The ejector chamber is provided with two circular openings 24 and 25 which are in proper alignment with the ejector compartments 2.2 and 23. These openings are within the wall portion 26 of the ejector. chamber as will be seen from Figures 4 and 8. Thewall portion 26 of the ejector chamber is also provided with a" flange 21 which is oi' an oval conguration and forms an integral part of the portion 26. 'I'his flange 21 is provided with packing rings 23 and 29.

Mounted adjacent the wall portion 26 of the ejector chamber I is a selector unit 33 which comprises a concave-convex closure member 3| which is arranged to properly engage in iluidtight relation with packings 28 and 29 of iiange 1 of the ejector chamber I. The ange 21 is of a configuration similar to the closure member 3| so that in all positions which the closure member 3| may assume with respect to the ange 21, proper contact between the packings 28, 29 and the closure member 3| will be maintained.

The packing member 29 is also provided with a center portion 29' as clearly shown in Figures 6 and 8 to establish a fluid-tight connection between the closure member 3| and said packing, and between the ejector compartments 22 and 23 and openings 24 and 26 in front of the wall portion 26. Packing portion 29 is not absolutely necessary and may be omitted.

The closure member 3| is provided with an opening 32 which receives the selector or cut-off valve 33. 'I'he selector and cut-of! valve 33 is held in proper position `with respect to the closure member 3| by means of packings 34 and the retaining member 36 secured to the closure member 3| by means of screws 36. A distributing conduit or conveyor pipe 31 is arranged within the selector or cut-oi! valve 33, and packings 38 .and 39 are provided to maintain a duid-tight seal between the selector or cut-o5 valve 33 and the feed section of the distributing conduit or conveyor pipe 31. Packing 39 is properly held in place between an annular kshoulder 40 of the selector 33 and retaining member 4|. In a like manner packing 39 is maintained in proper compressed position by means of a sleeve 42 and retaining member l43. 'The retaining member 4| is secured to the selector 33 in a manner obvious from Figure 6, and the retaining Vmember 43 is secured to the feed section of the distributing conduit in a like obvious manner. lThe packings 33 and 39 may be compressed by tightening the retaining members 4| or 43 to properly maintain their sealing functions.

Y From Figure 6 it will be noted that the selector or cut-oi! valve is arranged in such a manner that it may slide in a longitudinal diirection with respect to the feed section 31 of the distributing conduit and ejector compartments 22 and 23. 'I'he feed section 31 of the distributing conduit is not movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the ejector compartments 23 and 22, but

may move transversely with respect to the same if the selector 33 is out of contact with the ejector compartments 22 and 23.'

The transverse movement of the entire selector unit 30 which has just been mentioned is accomplished by controlling instrumentalities which will be later described. The purpose of the transverse movement of the ejector unit is to bring the feedvsection and the selector into alignment witheither the eiectorcompartment 22 or the ejector compartment 23. To permit this transverse movement of the selector unit 39 it is necessary to provide the distributing conduit or conveyor pipe 31 and 31 Lwith a flexible joint 44 as clearly' shown in Figure 3. 'The selector or `cut-oil valve may slide into either the ejector compartment 22 or the ejector compartment 23, depending upon which of said compartments said selector is in alignment with. This movement of the selector or cut-oil valve is caused by instrumentalities and control mechanism which will be mentioned while the description proceeds.

The distributing conduit or conveyor pipe 31 and 31 may be of any length and elevation which is practically admissible for concrete pumping machines of this character. If the concrete is to be pumped to elevations which are higher than the location of the machine, a control valve should be arranged within the conduit 31 so as to prevent the back-flow of the concrete mixture from the distributing conduit 31 into the ejector compartments 22 and 28. Such control valve construction has not been disclosed in this application, but any commercial valve structure which would be adaptable for such purpose may be used. v v A vibrator 45 may be mounted on one of the side walls of the 'hopper 4 in any convenient manner, as for instance by use of a bracket 46, to impart vibration to the hopper for accomplishing the proper discharge of'mixed aggregates from the hopper into the ejector chamber and to eliminate the sticking of aggregates to the side wall of the hopper 4.

The vibrator 45 may be a small steam turbine. the shaft of which is arranged slightly off center so that upon rotation of the moving turbine parts vibrations are impartedy to the hopper structure to perform the functions set forth above. The steam turbine 45 may be connected to a source of power by means of the conduit 41.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 1,

n 2, and 3, it will be noted that a cylinder 48 is v` mounted beneath the cylinders 1 and 8. Ar-

ranged within this cylinder is a selector control piston 49 which is connected by means of a piston rod 58 to a crank arm 5| which is mounted on a control shaft 52` in fixed relation. The ejector cylinder 1 is connected with an opening 53 from which a conduit 54 leads into the selector control cylinder 48. In a like manner the ejector cylina der-8' is provided with an opening 55 from which the conduit 56 leads into the selector control cylinder 48. Both conduits 54 and 56 enter into cylinder 48 at the opposite ends thereof, aswill be clearly seen from Figure 1. The wall of the selector control cylinder 48`is also provided with an opening 51 at its center, and a conduit or pipe 58 connects the selector control cylinder 48 with the retractor control cylinder 59. Within the retractor control cylinder isarranged a retractor control piston 68 to whicha piston rod or retractor member 6I is secured. The end wall of the retractor control cylinder opposite the conduit 58 is provided with pusher members 82 which extend through the said end wall and are movably arranged to engage arms63 and 63 of a trip and valve control device,64. Said valve control device is plvotally mounted to a crank 65 attached to a shaft 66 in fixed relation. 'I'he control shaft 52 and the shaft |36 are also provided with crank arms 61 and 68 which are keyed to the respective shafts just mentioned. Inter- 1 posed .betweenthe crank` arms 61 and 68 is a\ helical spring 69 which is attached to cranks 61 and 68 -in a manner as will be obvious from Figure 2 The parts 61, 68, and 69 constitute a power storing device for delayed movement control. This power storing device is generally indicated by the numeral 18 and will be referred tolater on when the control operations of the variy ous control instrumentalities are described.

with respect thereto.

The ejectors II and I2 are connected to control racks 1| and 12 by means of bolts 13 and 14. 'I'he control racks 1I and 12 are adjacent the walls of cylinders 1 and 8 and are movable Interposed between the control racks 1I and 12 is a gear 15. The teeth of the gear 15 are in engagement with the teeth of the racks 12 and 1I', as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. The shaft 16 on which the gear 15 is mounted is supported by the frame structure of the machine in any convenient manner (not shown).

Referring now more vspeciically to the valve compartments I1 and I8, it will be noted thatl the same are provided with inlet conduits 11 and 18 and outlet or exhaust passages 19 and 88. Passages 8l and 82 establish a connection between the valve compartments I1 and I8 and the cylinders 1 and 8. The slide valves I9 and 28 are adapted to control the connection between the cylinders 1 and 8' and the valve comparis-- l.mounted soy that upon motionv of thetrip and valve controldevlcein a directionas indicated by the arrow 288 in Figure l2. :the lposition of the, valve rods 83 and 84 will lnot be varied. This the trip and control device is necessary to pre- `20 slidable connection between the vvalve rods and i vent the bending ofsaid rodsduring operation n of the trip and valve control device.

The control racks 1I and 12 are provided with t* abutment portions 1I and 12 which are adapted to cooperate with arms63 and` 68I to control thev operation of the trip,` Aandvalvev control mechg-y c anism as will be described later. on.

The trip andvalve,control.devicefis heldinits normal position as lownin Figure 2by means of a coil spring 188i`n l posed between anfattach-y ment member 81 onjt e trip" and Lvalvecontrol device and frame ofthe machine. a vportionA of which is shown in Figure 2 and indicated .by the reference numeralv88. The ltrip and-valve control device may slide withinthe attachment member 81 in gadirection as, indicated -by the arrowv |85 in Figure Tojpermit free movement of thle'trip valve control device, the same is composed'of portions'64' and 64" which portions are pivotallyfinterconnected as shown at98. v a f Bearings 9| and 92 are`provided to support the` control shaft 52 and shaft |58. 'Attached to one end of the control shaft 52 is a crank arm 93 to which a selector control 'rod 94 is plvotally secured at 95. Theother end of the-selectorjconf trol rod 94 is lattached to the retaining/member 35 of the cut-off valve 33-by meansof'anattachment member 96 integral with"said' retaining member. f

The retractor member 6I the retractor control piston 68 is connected by means of a retractor rod 91v to the retaining member 4I previously referred to. AInlet couduits 11 and 18 are connected to a steam'boiler 98 by means of conduits 99 and |88. A valve 1I8I is provided to control the flow of energy from the steam boiler 98 as will be seen from- Flgures 2r and 3.

The feed section 31 of the distributing yconduit or conveyor pipe is provided with a scraper portion I 82 as clearly seen from Figure 6.` and its function will more fully appear hereinafter.

Operation of concrete pumping machine through opening 53, conduit 54, into cylinder. 48, and the selector control piston 49 will move in a direction indicated by the arrow |03 in Figure 1, thereby imparting rotation by means of piston rod 50 and crank 5| to control shaft 52. Rotation of control shaft 52 and crank 83 exerts a pull on the selector control rod 94 which will move in the direction of arrow |04 and thereby shift the selector unit 30 from its position as shown in Figure 6 to the position as illustrated in Figure 3, thereby moving the said selector unit 30 into proper alignment with the ejector compartment 23.

The trip and valve control device 64 is at this time in a position as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the arm 63 of the valve control device contacts with the abutment 12 of control rack 12 and a movement of the trip and valve control device in the direction oi arrow |05, see Figure 2, is thereby prevented. 'I'he rotation of control shaft 52 will therefore wind up spring 69 of the power storing device for delayed movement control, and spring 69 will be then held under tension in view of the fact that shaft 66 cannot rotate as long as arm 63 contactsl with abutment 12'. The selector control piston 49 has now reached its dotted` line position as'shown at |06...

in Figure 1. 'I'he steam entering the cylinder 48 passes through the opening 51, conduit 58, into the retractor cylinder 59, and retractor control piston will movein a direction indicated by arrow |01 in Figure 1. The retractor control piston 60 will now reach its dotted line position as indicated in Figure 11 at |08 and thereby force the pusher members 62 outwardly against the arms 63 and 63' of the trip and valve control device 64. The trip and Valve control device 64 will now assume its full line position of Figure 11. The arm 63' will be moved out of contact with the abutment member 12 and the power controlling devce 10, the spring of which has been held under tension as previously described, now comes into function and moves the power trip and valve control device 64 to a position as shown in dotted lines at-|09 in Figure 11. 'I'he power stroke of the retractor control piston causes a corresponding movement of the retractor 6I, retractor rod 91, and the selectcr'and cut-off valve 33. As above mentioned, the selector and cut-01T valve 33 is now in alignment,` with the ejector compartment 23, and under the iniuence of the' power stroke of the retractor control piston the selector and cut-off valve now enters the ejector compartment 23 which is filled with concrete, as will be seen from Figure 7, and the valve now separates a certain quantity of aggregates Within the ejector chamber from the remaining mass of concrete within the latter and confines the same Within its tubular space. This movement of the selector or cut-oil' valve into compartment 23 continues until the selector 33 abuts against ejector |2. 'I'he selector member 33 will now be in a position as shown in Figure 4, and, as already mentioned, the space confined by said cut-off valve 33 is now entirely filled With'concrete. 'I'he movement of the trip and valve control device above referred to will cause a corresponding movement of the valves I8 and 20 which are connected by means of rods 83 and 84 to said trip and valve control device 64. Valves I3 and 20 will therefore now assume the positions indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. Passage of steam to cylinder 1' is now cut off and cylinder 1', is connected with the exhaust 19.

Steam now enters from the valve compartment I8 through passage 82 into cylinder 8', and the ejector piston I0 will perform its power stroke in a direction as indicated by arrow H0. The ejector I2 which was at the beginning of the power stroke of ejector piston I0 in the position as shown in full lines in Figure 4, moves upon the power stroke of ejector piston I0 into the ejector compartment 23 and forces the selector or cut-off valve over the feed'section ofl the distributing or conveyor pipe 31 until the end of the ejector I2 abuts against the scraper portion I02 of said feed section. The concrete which had been conned and separated within the selector and cut-off valve is thereby forced into the feed section 31 of the distributing conduit. The scraper portion 02 which is in close contact with the inner wall of the selector or cut-off valve cleans the inner surface thereof so that no concrete aggregates will be forced into the packing 38.

The retractor control piston 60 has now returned to its full line position in Figure 1, and such return movement of said piston has been caused by the movement of the selector and cutoi. valve just described in view of the fact that these two elements are coupled together by means of members 6| and 91.

The ejector piston I 0 and ejector I2 have now reached the end of their power stroke and are in the position shown in Figure 5. The steam in the cylinder 8' travels now through opening 55 of cylinder piston 8', over conduit 56, into piston 48, and moves the selector control piston 49 from its dotted line position as shown at |06 in Figure l to its full line position of said gure. Previously to such motion of piston 49, rack 12 has been moved in the direction of the arrow 20| indicated in Figure 2. In view of the fact that this rack 12 is connected to the ejector I2, it is therefore bound to move in unison with the same. Movement of rack 12 in the direction just mentioned causes rotation of the gear 15, thereby returning ejector II in the direction of arrow III, as illustrated in Figure 2, until the ejector and ejector piston 9 reach their original position, the ejector piston 9 now being adjacent to the inlet passage 8|. 'I'he rack 1| has been moved in unison with ejector II and ejector piston 9 and is now in a position so that the abutment portion 1I is opposite arm 63 of the trip and valve control device 64. As previously mentioned, the Selector control piston 49 has reached its full line position as shown in Figure l, thereby turning control shaft 52, to which said piston is connected by means of piston rod 50, in a direction opposite to that previously described before the power stroke of Vejector piston I0. The spring 69 is tensioned and the arm 63 now abuts against the abutment portion 1|' of the control rack 1|.

"At the same time rotation of shaft 52 causes the return of the selector unit from the position shown in'Figure 3 to the full line position as shown in Figure 6, so that the selector and cut-oil.' f

partment 23. The retractor control piston now reaches the end of its power stroke and abuts against pusher' members 62 which are forced against arms 63 and 63', causing motion of the trip and valvecontrol'device 64in the direction as indicated by arrow |I2 in Figure 1, until the arm 63 slides off the abutment member 1|', at which moment the power storing device comes into function, moving the trip and control device in the direction ofarrow ||3 as clearly seen in Figure 1. This causes a return of the valves |9 and 20 from their dotted line to their full line position in Figure 1. The cylinder 8 is now connected with the exhaust 8|! and steam now enters through passage 8| into cylinder 1', forcing the ejector piston 9 and ejector II in the direction of arrow II4, as illustrated in Figure/1, thereby causing discharge of the concrete aggregates within the cylinder or cut-off valve 33 into the feed section 31 of the distributing conduit or conveyor pipe in the manner previously described. The retractor piston 60 is returned to its full line position of Figure 1, and as soon as the ejector piston 9 reaches the end of its power stroke, steam will pass from cylinder 1', through opening 53, conduit 54, into selector control cylinder 48, and the entire cycle of the machine as described above repeats.

It Awill be noted from the foregoing that the return stroke 'of the ejectors II and I2 is not availed of for performing the working operation and the vacuum created upon the return stroke of said ejectors within their respective compartments, which are now closed against the atmosphere by the closure member 3|, will be of no consequence in view of the fact that the packings 28, 29 and 29 are not in suflicient sealing contact with the closure member 3| to prevent the entrance of air in the respective ejector compartment to destroy such vacuum. If, however, an absolute seal between the packings 28, 29 and 29 and the closure member 3| is desired, the ejectors and I2 may in such case be provided with valves -which will open upon the return stroke of the ejectors |I and I2 under the influence of the vacuum creatcdin the ejector compartments to immediately destroy the vacuum therein. Such valve arrangement or bleeding of the packings 28, 29 and 29' is hardly believed necessary because upon the -return stroke of each ejector II or I2 the aggregates contained in the hopper 4 and ejector chamber will flow into the space of the ejector compartments 22 and 23 which is made free upon the return of the ejectors.

From the foregoing it will be seen that predetermined quantities of the concrete whichfgare separated from the concrete mixtureA iijrv ejector chamber and hopper will be forc sively into the distributing conduit 31 the distributing conduit 31 to any desired ilocation which may be of a higher or lower r'elevation` with respect to the concrete pumping machine. If the concrete is to be distributed to` a higher elevation, a control valve has to be arranged within the distributing conduit 31 at'fsome convenient place, as already described.

Figure 10, which shows a longitudinal cross sec tional view through the hopper, ij'ector chamber, and a portion of the feed section of the distributing conduit 31, illustrates also some additional apparatus which may'be used for cleaning the feed section of the distributing conduit. To

clean the apparatus heretofore described an auxiliary cylinder ||5, which comprises a go-devil or chaser member I6, is inserted through the hopper into. the ejector chamber and one of the ejectors I| or I2 is forced against the end of the auxiliary cylinder II5 by propermanipulation of the control valve so that the auxiliary cylinder will be held in proper alignment with the feed section of the distributing conduit 31. The space of the auxiliarycylinder in front of the godevil or piston member I6 is filled with excelsior (as indicated at I|1). A flexible conduit is attached to the auxiliary cylinder as clearly shown at I I8, land pressure maybe supplied from a pump I|9 driven in any convenient manner into cylinder I I so that the piston member ||6 and the excelsior I|1 will be forced into and through the feed section of the distributing pipe 31. The distributing pipe 311s thereby cleaned from all the aggregates which might adhere to its walls, and upon completion of this cleaning operation the auxiliary cylinder may be removed.

The vibrator 46 which is mounted on the hopper 4 functions as an agitating means to ensure the entry of the concrete aggregates into the ejector chamber.

In Figures 12 and 13 there is shown a modied form of flexible joint which may be used to great advantage.

As will be seen from Figure 12, the exible jo i t |50 comprises a. cylindrical housing having t e portions I5I and |52. The-housing portion |5I is welded to conduit 31" at |53 while the housing portion |52 is secured to housing portion |5| by means of bolts |54. The conduit 31 is provided with a cylindrical member |55 which is welded thereto. Interposed between housing |50 and the cylindrical member |55 is a cylindrical packing of resilient material as indicated at |56 having passages |51 and I 58. The housing portion |52 is also providedwith an opening |59 permitting free movement of conduit 31. rThis disalignment between conduit. 31 and 31' upon displacement of conduit 31 during the operation of the machine is negligible and will not exceed ten degrees.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A concrete pumping machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber adapted to contain concrete aggregates, a distributing conduit associated with the ejector chamber and in fixed relation with respect thereto, an open-ended cut-off valve movmechanical instrumentalities for positively moving said cut-off valve into the ejector chamber v'for receiving through the open end of the cutoif valve and separating and confining a prex determined uanti of concretea r tes withaggregates may in this way be distribute through q ty 'gg esa in the cut-off valve, and ejector means for actuating lthe cut-oil valve and forcing said predetermined quantity of concrete aggregates from the ejector compartment into thedistributing conduit. l 4

2. A concrete pumping machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber adapted to contain concrete aggregates, a distributing conduit associated with the ejector chamber and in xed relation with respect thereto, an open-ended cut-olf valve movably mounted relative to the distributing conduit, mechanical instrumentalities for positively moving said cut-off valve into the elector chamber ,ably mounted relative to the distributing conduit, f

for receiving through the open end of the cut-off valve and separating and confining a predetermined quantity of concrete aggregates within the cut-01T valve, ejector means for actuating the cutof! valver and forcing said predetermined quantity of concrete aggregates from the ejector compartment into the distributing conduit, and common actuating devices for actuating the said cut-ofi' valve and ejector means..

3. A concrete distributing apparatus, comprising, in combination, ,an ejector chamber adapted to contain mixed vconcrete or the like, a distributing conduit. adjacent the ejector chamber, an open-ended tubular cut-oir valve surrounding the distributing conduit and movable with respect thereto, retractor instrumentalities for moving the cut-oi valve endwise into the ejector chamber to thereby charge said cut-oir valve through one vof its open ends with a predetermined quantty of mixed concrete, pressure means for expelling said predetermined quantity fromy the ejector chamber and cut-oil valve, and instrumentalities for actuating the pressure means and cut-01T valve.

4. A concrete distributing apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber comprising a plurality of ejector compartments, a hopper mounted upon saidejector chamber, a plurality of ejectors for cooperation with the ejector compartments, a source of power for operating the ejectors, a cutoff valve transversely movable with respect to the ejector compartments for 4selective cooperation therewith, and longitudinally movable respecting the selected compartment, instrumentalities for controlling the movement of the cut-oi valve, and timing mechanism connecting the instrumentalities for controlling the cut-off valve and said source of power for inter-relating the operation of said instrumentalities with the source of power.

5. A concrete distributing apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber comprising a plurality of ejector compartments, a hopper mounted upon said ejector chamber, a resilient member between the hopper and ejector chamber, a vibrator mounted upon said hopper, a plurality of ejectors for cooperation with the ejector compartments, a source of power for operating the ejectors, a cut-off valve transversely movable withv respect to the ejector compartments for selective cooperation therewith, and longitudinally movable respecting the selected compartment, instrumentalities for controlling the movement of the cutoff valve, and timing mechanism connecting the instrumentalities for controlling the cut-olf valve and said source of power for inter-relating the operation of said instrumentalities with the source of power.

G. A concrete pumping machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber comprising compartments adapted to contain concrete aggregates or the like, a selector unit adjacent to said ejector chamber and comprising a distributing conduit and a cut-off valve selectively movable with respect to said ejectorjchamber compartments, the cut-off valve being adapted to separate a predetermined quantity of concrete aggregates from the bulk of concontrol shaft, means interconnecting the control shaft and cut-off valve for moving thev latter selectively with respect to the ejector chamber compartments, retractor means connected to the cut-off valve for moving the cut-off valveintothe selected ejector compartment, control racks con-Y nected to the ejector means and movable there-r with, a valve mechanism cooperating with `the retractor means and control racks, a secondshaftv operatively interconnected with the valve mechanism, a power storing device between the first mentioned shaft and said second shaft, a common source of power for the ejector means, selector mechanism and retractor means, power control valves and instrumentalities interconnecting the latter with the valve mechanism for controlling the ejector means, selector mechanism and retractor means in timed relation incident to tripping of the valve control device, and conduit means for connecting the ejector means, selector mechanism and retractor means to the common source of power.

'7. In a concrete pumping machine, in combination, a supply hopper for concrete aggregates or the like, an ejector chamber associated with the said hopper to which chamber the aggregatesv may gravitate from the hopper, agitating means for the aggregates in the hopper to ensure the entry of said aggregates into the ejector chamber, an open-ended cut-off Valve deiining a hollow aggregate receiving compartment within the same, means for moving the cut-olf Valve into the ejector chamber to separate a predetermined quantity of the aggregates in said chamber from the bulk of the aggregates in the hopper supplying said chamber, and ejector mechanism cooperating with the cut-oir valve for ejecting the separated portion of the aggregates handled by the cut-olf valve, said ejector mechanism including a plunger movable into and out of the ejector chamber and relatively to said cut-oil? valve, said plunger being axially aligned with the cut-off valve, and, when moved into the ejector chamber, being adapted to abut against the open end of said cut-off valve so as to close said end and transmit its motion to the cut-ofiv valve.

8. In a concrete pumping machine, in combination, a supply hopper, an ejector chamber associated therewith to receive predetermined quantities of material from the hopper, said chamber comprising a plurality ofv ejector compartments, a selector unit comprising a hollow cut-off valve selectively movable to cooperate with a selected one of the ejector compartments to separate a predetermined quantity of material fed thereinto from the supply oi' material in the hopper and coni-lne the same within the cut-oi valve. and means for ejecting the material so separated by the cut-off valve when cooperating with a selected one of the ejector compartments.

9. In a concrete pumping machine, in combination, a supply hopper, an ejector chamber associated therewith to receive predetermined quantities of material from the hopper, said chamber comprising a plurality of ejector compartments, a selector unit comprising a cut-off valve selectively movable to cooperate with a selected one of the ejector compartments to separate a predetermined quantity of material fed thereinto from the supply of material in the hopper, and means for ejecting the material so separated by the cut-oil? valve when cooperating with a selected one of the ejector compartments, said ejecting means including a plurality of ejectors, one for each ejector compartment, each of said f partments, al selector valve selectively movable ,to align with vaise- V ejectors being :adapted valverinfit's ejector 'compartment.

10`1In a concrete pumping machine, f Y cq bination, a lsupply hopper,A `an,A ejector chamber associated therewith 'to receive predetermined quantities of materialfrom ithe hopper, 'said chamber comprising. a plurality of ejector com. unit -comprising V a cut-'off lected one of the/ejector` compartments;Iandadapted to move vinto said compartmentsto separate a predetermined. quantity .Ofrnaterial fed.y thereinto from .the supply of material in thek hopper, means for eject'ing the material so separated by the cut-off valve. when Vcooperating with a selected one of the ejector compartments, and actuating means'for .thecut-oi valve for selectively .shifting the same into alignment with eaehvejectorv compartment,`andv with means for causing movement of the cutoi valve into such ejector compartment with which it may be aligned.v a A 11,-Ina concrete pumping machine, -in combination, asupply `hopper for aggregate materials or the like, an ejector chamber associated therewith to receive materials therefrom and comprising an ejector compartment, a distributing conduit, a cut-off valve movably mounted on the outside of the distributing conduit and shiftable therefrom into the ejector compartment, and ejector means .associated with the cut-off valve to force material separated by the cut-off valve from the bulk of material from the hopper when said cut-oil valve 'is moved into the ejector compartment for such purpose, whereby the material may be ejected from the ejector compartment into the distributing conduit.

12. In a concrete pumping machine, in combination, a supply hopper for aggregate materials or the like, an ejector chamber associated therewith and comprising a plurality of ejector compartments, a distributing conduit, a selector unit associated with said conduit and comprising a cut-off valve movable into positions in which it is adapted to enter either one of the ejector compartments, means for moving the cut-off valve into a selected ejector compartment to separate material therein from the bulk of material in the hopper ready for delivery to the distributing conduit, mechanism for positioning the selector unit in selective relation to either one of the ejector compartments, and ejectors cooperative with the ejector compartments to expel material therein as may be separated from the bulk of material in the hopper by the movement of the cut-off valve to said ejector compartment.

13. A concrete pumping machine, comprising, in combination, an ejector compartment adapted to contain concrete aggregates, and comprising a plurality of ejector chambers, a cut-off valve selectively movable with respect to the ejector compartments, valve controlled ejector mechanism cooperating with the cut-off valve and ejector compartments for expelling concrete aggregates from the ejector compartments, devices for moving the cut-off valve in alignment with the ejector compartments successively, instrumentalities for forcing the cutoff valve into the ejector compartments in a predetermined and successive manner, control valves for cooperation with the ejector mechanism# a trip, Control `mchfani.sm connetd' tol' saidgvalves' and operativelyassociated' with the sad instrumentalities and" rui-,off valve moving' devices, and Va A,q ielafy'etl" movement power storing e l fpingjthe'tri'p lc'o'ntrol l'n iechanisin to thereby 'control the' cycles ofv operationof the ejector mechanism and cut-off valve]v device forltri Y, 14. `A"'concrete 'pumping machine, i'coinprising, in combination, an' ejector compartment adapted 'to contain concrete aggregates and,A compris-v ingv a plurality.' of 'ejector chambers, aout-off valve.l selectively movable 'with respect to` the ejector compartments, valve controlled ejector mechanism cooperating' with thecut-oif valvev andejector compartments for expelling concreteA aggregates fromf the"I "ejector compartments, .devices for moving the vcut-tif j valve in alignment with the .ejector a,compartm'entsv successively, instrumentalities forv forcing the cutoff l,valve into them ejector ,compartments Yin ta predeterminedand lsuccessive manner, control valves `for .cooperation with', thev ejiecftorfmechanism, av trip control mechanism, `,conne'ci-eclto said valves and ope ratively vas'soc'iated with the sai'd instrumentalitiesand cut- 101i valve moving devices, Aa delayed movement power storing device for the trip control mechanism, and control racks comprising abutment portions adapted to engage the trip control mechanism for controlling the action of. the latter relative to the position of the ejector mechanism.

15. A concrete pumping machine, comprising, in combination, an ejector compartment adapted to contain concrete aggregates and comprising a plurality of ejector chambers, a cut-orf valve selectively movable with respect to the ejector compartments, valve controlled ejector mechanism cooperating with the cut-off valve and ejector compartments for expelling concrete aggregates from the ejector compartments, devices for moving the' cut-off valve in alignment with the ejector compartments successively, instrumentalities for forcing the cut-01T valve into the ejec-l tor compartments in a predetermined and successive manner, control valves for cooperation with the ejector mechanism, pusher members movablyl inter-connected with said instrumentalities, a trip control mechanism connected to said ejector mechanism valves and contacting with the pusher members and operatively associated with the said instrumentalities and cut-off valvemoving devices, control racks comprising abutment portions adapted to engage the trip control mechanism, and a power storing device for tripping the trip control mechanism upon release from the abutment portions of the control racks to thereby control the cycles of operation of the ejector mechanism and cut-off valve.

16. A pumping machine of the character rdescribed, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber including a plurality of ejector compart-ments. a distributing conduit communicating with said ejector chamber, a cut-off valve associated with the distributing conduit and movable with respect to the latter and the ejector chamber, mee ns for positioning said cut-olf valve for selectively establishing operative relation betweensaid cut-off valve and said ejector compartments, means for retracting the cut-off valve within the selected compartment, a plurality of ejectors movable with respect to the ejector compartments, actuating means for said ejectors, control means for actuating the cut-oi valve positioning means aforesaid in proper timed relation, a source of power for operating the ejector actuating means, the cut-oil valve positioning means and the cut-oi valve retracting means, and control instrumentalities between the cut-of! valve control means and said source of power for controlling the movement of the ejectors in timed relationship with respect to the operation of the cut-oir valve.

i7. A pumping machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, an ejector chamber including a plurality of ejector compartments, a. distributing conduit communicating with said ejector chamber, a cut-oil? valve associated with the distributing conduit and movable with respect to the latter and the ejector chamber, selector mechanism for selectively positioning the cut-oli. valve in operative relation to said ejector compartments, means for retracting the cut-ofi' valve into the selected compartment, a plurality of ejectors movable with respect to the ejector compartments, one for each compartment, operating means for said ejectors, including control means therefor, control mechanism cooperating with the retractor means and selector mechanism, and a source of power for the selector mechanism, the cut-oir valve retracting means and the ejector operating means, said source of power serving to move the cut-oil valve in alignment with the ejector compartments in successive order, to move the cut-off valve into the ejector compartment with .which it is in alignment and to cause ejectmentV operation of the ejector'opposite the cut-of! valve in timed'relationship with the latter.

18. A pumping machine of the class described, comprising, in combination, an ejector compartment adapted to receive concrete aggregates, said ejector compartment including a plurality of open ended ejector chambers, a distributing conduit communicating with said ejector compartment, a cut-oil valve selectively cooperable with the ejector chambers, means for selectively aligning the cut-oi! valve with the open ends of the ejector chambers, means for retracting the cut-olf valve into the selected ejector chamber, an ejector for each ejector chamber, means for reciprocating the electors, and means for controlling the operation of the cut-oil valve aligning means, the cutofI valve retracting means and the ejector reciprocating means in timed relation whereby to eject concrete aggregates alternately from the ejector chambers into the distributing conduit. EDWARD S. KARSTENS. 

